Kellie Finlayson expresses shock following closure announcement of the Western Hospital’s oncology department, but sale of wider hospital imminent

The closure of a western suburbs oncology unit will leave more than 70 cancer patients, including a well-known advocate, needing to move to other services.

The Western Hospital, on Cudmore Terrace at Henley Beach. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The closure of the oncology service at the Western Hospital next week will leave more than 70 cancer patients, including well-known cancer patient Kellie Finlayson, needing to move to other services across the city.

It is understood 12 oncology staff were told on Thursday they would be without a job at the Henley Beach hospital from November 1, after a buyer for the practice failed to eventuate.

The 54-bed private hospital, on Cudmore Tce, went into voluntary administration in January, with Ernst & Young Australia appointed administrators.

EY Australia said it had been working separately to secure a new operator for the Oncology Day Clinic, but the buyer had fallen through.

“Having worked for the last three months together with our proposed new oncology service provider this week it became clear that a transition would not be operationally and clinically feasible,” the statement said.

“As a result we have taken the incredibly difficult decision to close the clinic due to these developments late in the transition process.

“This decision was the last and only one available to the administrators.”

EY Australia said they would be contacting patients who were scheduled to attend the Western next week to make alternate arrangements.

Ms Finlayson, wife to AFL star Jeremy Finlayson, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer and had been seeking treatment at the clinic.

“It’s like a little family, which is so weird to think that I’ve got that connection with medical staff,” she told 7News. “Seeing as they’re now without jobs, I’m just shook.

“I feel like I don’t want to repeat myself with a new oncologist, who I might not even get along with.”

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan told The Advertiser he understood 70 patients would be prioritised to receive treatment elsewhere, with the remaining patients to follow.

Mr Mullighan added the sale process for the wider hospital was “proceeding well”.

“There’s a bit more in the process to go and we’re hoping it will be concluded in the coming weeks – we don’t anticipate it dragging out into months,” he said.

“However, as part of the process the administrator, EY, has been working to secure a new operator for the Oncology Day Clinic and despite working for months with a proposed new service provider, it’s been unable to secure a deal in time.

“The administrator is working closely with oncology providers and their networks to ensure that patients can continue to receive high quality care, albeit in a new setting.”

The acute care hospital has a separate day surgery unit and GP centre, and offers a wide range of services, including orthopaedics, cardiology and palliative care.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery SA branch executive director Dr Samantha Mead said they had been advised the hospital was in the process of being sold.

The Western Hospital, on Cudmore Tce at Henley Beach. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“We understand that there was an offer that has been accepted to purchase the assets of Western Hospital on a going concern basis and that the sale should not interrupt the operation of Western Hospital,” Dr Mead said.

“Communications suggest that there will be continued provision of important medical services to the local community and positions for 190 staff.

“We are in communication and supporting affected members, while maintaining close contact with the administrator to keep ANMF SA members at the forefront of business interests.

“We just can’t afford to lose any beds or workforce numbers from our already fragile health system, so we will be watching this situation closely.”

In October, the Advertiser revealed secret plans to entice buyers included dumping the private intensive care unit, which was losing up to $2.4m per year.

The hybrid surgical theatre, which was losing $1.2m a year, could be transformed into a money-spinning orthopaedic unit, according to the sales pitch.